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Friday, May 28, 2010

The Indy 500 is two days and 70 miles away. Here are some song suggestions to set the tone:

One of the best known early car songs comes from the 1930s: "Terraplane Blues" by Robert Johnson Nobody remembers the car anymore, but Robert Johnson is still revered as possibly the best blues artist ever recorded, and this song is one of his signature songs.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Due to an upcoming carpeting project, Music Collection materials and equipment are being moved around. Services will continue as usual throughout the summer, but we may have to do some creative work-arounds. Please bear with us!

Some of the audio listening carrels have been dismantled, but you can still use other listening carrels (behind the glass wall) for reserve listening. Just ask at the service counter if you have any questions.

Books and scores are already being moved to their temporary quarters on the fourth floor. The M2s and M3s are already there! Check for them in the Northeast corner of the Fourth Floor, just past group study rooms 409 and 410.

If you missed out on last week's research refresher sessions, you can still brush up on your research skills with a one-on-one research consultation. I can help you get started on your term paper research or direct you to more fruitful sources if you've gotten stuck. Summer goes by so fast! Don't let rusty library skills delay your term paper research!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Planning your wedding? Planning someone else's wedding? Playing a "gig" at a stranger's wedding? The Music Collection has songbooks and recordings to help you get ready for the big day. Musicians & the happy couple can work together to find just the right pieces for the big event.

The Chamber Music Finder can help you search the catalog for sheet music for specific ensemble types. If you want music for an unusual grouping, such as clarinet, viola, and piano, you can find it there! Just indicate the instrument and number of players using the instrument, and click "search!" You can also type "wedding" into the keyword box to specify music for weddings.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Though not the official national day of Mexico (which is September 16), May 5th, or "Cinco de Mayo" (pronounced Sink-o day My-o) is a day for Mexican-Americans and Mexicans to celebrate their cultural heritage. People mark the day with celebrations with parties and cultural events. The date has become so popular that you no longer need to be Mexican to take part. Like St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest, everyone can be Mexican on May 5th.

The most popular Mexican-American/Mexican music style for celebrations is Mariachi (pronounced Marr - ee - ah - chee). In this genre, performers in oversized hats and matching costumes entertain with love songs and sometimes other topics. The groups use only acoustic instruments, including violins, trumpets, guitars, a large guitar with a deep sound (bajo sexto) and sometimes other instruments, such as the folk harp or accordian.

Bands can have as few as four members but some have over twenty. Traditionally, mariachi groups have been all-male, but women are increasingly active, either in mixed-sex groups or all-women ensembles such as the Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles (left).

The mariachi band is often the highlight of weddings and quinceñeras (birthday party for a 15-year-old girl) but can be called on for every type of celebration. And of course, they often perform in Mexican restaurants.

The Music Collection has mariachi music that you can check out for your Cinco de Mayo party.

About Me

Amy Edmonds came to Ball State University as Music Librarian in November, 2008. Her previous positions have included Music Librarian at Southwest State University (now Texas State University at San Marcos) and Chief of the Music Division of the District of Columbia Public Library. She has also been a performer, playing viola with orchestras in DC and Iowa, including the Quad Cities Symphony. She holds a Masters Degree in Library Service from Columbia University in New York and is ABD in Historical Musicology at the University of Texas, Austin.